When it comes to buying insurance, what you don't know can hurt you...and your family...for years to come. Learn how to identify the top ten insurance mistakes and what you can do about them with my free guide, "The Top 10 Insurance Blunders - and How to Avoid Them."

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Which well-known horror writer was seriously injured in a car accident in 1999?
Why Not Pass Me to a Friend?

If you've enjoyed this newsletter and found its information useful, please forward it to a neighbor, friend or co-worker by clicking this link. Recipe: Sweet Pepper and Basil Risotto

Serves 4, and rings in a special New Year.

4 cups chicken stock

4 tablespoons olive oil

1 large onion, chopped

1 1/2 cups seeded and chopped red bell pepper

1 1/4 cups arborio rice

1/4 cup dry white wine

1/2 cup shredded fontina cheese

1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese

Salt and ground pepper to taste

1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, shredded

Heat stock in a saucepan and keep at a simmer. Heat olive oil in a large pot; saute onion, stirring frequently for about 5 minutes. Add peppers, season, and continue cooking until softened. Add rice, stir to coat with oil, and cook for an additional 2 minutes.

Add wine, and stir until almost completely evaporated. Add heated stock about half a cup at a time while stirring until liquid is mostly absorbed. Continue stirring and adding broth for 20-25 minutes until rice is al dente. Add the cheeses, and stir well to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Fold in shredded basil. Serve immediately. Worth Quoting

This month, some famous quotes on the topic of gifts:

Each day provides its own gifts.

Marcus Aurelius

To be able to speak and be able to have clarity and to be able to think. Those are the greatest of gifts.

Bill Cosby

One of the greatest gifts my father gave me - unintentionally - was witnessing the courage with which he bore adversity.

Ben Okri

Try not to get lost in comparing yourself to others. Discover your gifts and let them shine!

Jennie Finch

You have a good many little gifts and virtues, but there is no need of parading them, for conceit spoils the finest genius.

In the wake of the economic downturn, most American families have less to fall back on financially than in the past, but at the same time, ownership of individual life insurance has fallen to a 50-year low. Does your family have enough to live on if you die?

Fewer have life insurance...

LIMRA raises the question in the latest of its Trends in Life Insurance Ownership study conducted every six years. LIMRA, a trade association representing the insurance and financial services industry, noted the following in its most recent study comparing life-insurance ownership in 2010 versus 2004: In 2010, 30 percent of households had no life insurance coverage, compared to 22 percent in 2004.

...But would have challenges paying bills

Many of those interviewed for the study reported that they didn't have life insurance because they had other financial priorities. At the same time, 40 percent of respondents with children under age 18 acknowledged that they would immediately have trouble paying everyday living expenses if the primary breadwinner died.

Indeed, according to the LIMRA study, life insurance is the single most-relied-upon source of income that Americans expect to use to pay bills in the event of the primary breadwinner's death.

People know life insurance is important; around 50 percent said they think they need more life insurance - the highest level ever.

So why the gap? According to the study, information may be the obstacle. Many people just don't know where to turn: Around 80 percent of those surveyed didn't have a personal life insurance agent or broker. And approximately 25 percent said they didn't know how to reach their financial goals, including buying life insurance.

If you're in that situation, help is easy to find: Call or E-mail Us and we'll conect you with Amy, our Life and Health partner

Buying Car Insurance? Avoid These 5 Mistakes

When buying car insurance, many people think they know what they're doing, but are unaware of some of the misconceptions they hold that may lead to some serious mistakes. This is particularly true when buying coverage without professional guidance. Your agent, ( Alex ;-) is a great resource in helping you avoid the following five common mistakes made when buying auto insurance.

Assuming state minimum liability limits are sufficient: Everyone likes to save money, but you need to balance that with ensuring you are getting adequate protection. State minimums are not enough. For the extra, say, $10 you save by paying only for state minimum coverage, you may risk being underinsured and facing $100,000++ in out-of-pocket costs as a result.

Raising Comprehensive deductibles to $1,000 to save $10: Unless you're a high-risk driver who is paying thousands of dollars for full coverage, increasing your deductibles - particularly comprehensive deductibles - won't pay. Reserve that major choice in case you should have a major violation or a series of accidents and tickets.

Leaving out information about household drivers: Sometimes you just don't think: You might believe you can save by not mentioning household drivers who would likely generate higher premiums. In fact, you're actually opening yourself up to denied claims or a felony charge for insurance fraud.

Buying collision coverage for a 10-15+ year-old car: Unless it's a stated value classic or custom car, you don't need to pay full coverage for damage to your vehicle. Effectively, you may be paying more in premiums than the car's worth. The best rule of thumb: Once annual premiums for full coverage are over 20 percent of current value, drop your collision coverage. That equates to 5 years no accident spending as much as buying that vehicle may cost.

Not insuring custom parts or modifications: If you've sunk $10,000 on rims, tinted windows, top-of-the-line stereo systems and chrome, you need to protect your investment. Some policies may cover up to $2,500 in custom parts, but that's obviously insufficient.

What's Ahead in Coffee Trends? Read the Grounds

If you can't start your day without a cup of freshly brewed java, the National Coffee Association (NCA) is happy to hear it. They're the folks who study coffee-drinking trends and report their findings to everyone in the industry - from growers to baristas.

According to Daily Coffee News, an NCA 2014 study found that "daily consumption of gourmet coffee among adults is up to 34 percent, a 3 percent rise over last year." The report goes on to say, "Twenty-nine percent of respondents who drank coffee within the past day said they used a single-cup brewer, up nearly 50 percent from last year," a statistic that bodes well for Bosch Tassimo, Keurig, Nespresso, and other coffee equipment manufacturers across the globe.

Apparently, coffee is hot news: There are coffee blogs, coffee magazines, and coffee books. Everyone has their favorite coffee house, and North America may even beat out Europe in celebrating coffee-drinking as a daily ritual.

But most notably, the latest medical studies now debunk the myths and promote the health benefits of the brew. The Caffeine Informer notes a Harvard University report confirming the results of the ground-breaking Framingham Heart Study. This study showed "no significant relationship between caffeine consumption and development of stroke or cardiovascular disease." In fact, we learn that for most people, coffee is not only not unhealthy, it's downright good for you - up to four cups a day.

Last year, coffee consumption moved from cultural phenomenon to health promoter. So what will 2015 bring? Read the grounds.

Size Matters When You're Waist Watching

The secret to keeping next year's resolution to eat better may not be the food in your refrigerator, but the refrigerator itself. When people keep more food in their homes, they're likely to eat more. And refrigerator-freezers provide ample space to store those not-so-wholesome goodies.

According to a New York Times report, the average North American refrigerator has about a volume of 17.5 cubic feet (roughly 500 liters). But most current models have volumes of 25 cubic feet (roughly 700 liters). This doesn't mean the people who have larger refrigerators are larger, notes author and professor Brian Wansink, who has written about the subtle things that affect people's eating habits. But buyers should show caution when purchasing new kitchen appliances. Avoid models where the fridge and freezer compartments open side-by-side; they give a view of both healthy and unhealthy options. And most of us would pass up carrots for ice cream, given that choice.

One of the best suggestions may also be one of the most frugal: place clear containers or plastic bags of cut veggies and fruit slices on the refrigerator shelf; you won't have to dig through the crisper for the good stuff.

Act Now to Buy Health Insurance for the Coming Year

Before you rush to purchase or renew your health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on the ACA website, why not consider talking to an independent insurance agent?

Call or E-mail Us and we'll conect you with Amy, our Health and Life partner, to help you choose a plan that fits your needs with access to the doctors you rely on. And all at no additional cost to you. With an independent agent, you pay no more than you would on the ACA website.

Your agent offers many benefits over going it alone: He or she is your local authority on various health plans, and by knowing your unique situation, can identify the plan that's right for you.

All private plans cover essential health benefits like hospitalization, pregnancy and prescription drugs, and some may include additional coverages.

ACA open enrollment began November 15, 2014 and ends February 15, 2015. You must purchase health insurance to avoid a penalty of up to two percent of your income or up to $325 annually. If you or your children qualify for Medicaid or CHIP under Federal guidelines, you can apply any time.

If you miss the February 15 deadline, but you experience certain life events such as marriage, divorce, or losing a job, you still may be eligible for a Special Enrollment period.

Don't rush to buy online only to find that your favorite doctor doesn't accept that plan: Begin the new year with the advice of a reliable insurance agent who can help you navigate this complex decision. For your peace of mind.

Ensure Your Special Items Receive Special Coverage

Even though your homeowners insurance allows you to pick an amount of coverage for personal property - your personal belongings inside the home - you may be surprised that your policy includes limits on certain items; most are higher-end items, such as cameras, electronic equipment, guns, and jewelry.

So, if you buy a policy with $50,000 in personal property coverage, there are still limits on what your insurer will pay to replace or repair these items. Often the limits read as, "$1500 limit on guns" or "$2,500 limit on computers." So, if you experience a total loss and file a claim, your $50,000 in personal property coverage still only covers up to the policy's limits on these specific items.

The peace-of-mind solution

Talk to your agent and make sure you feel comfortable with the policy you're buying.

You should discuss with him or her additional riders that are available and describe or show any special items you own, such as collectibles, jewelry, or artwork. With some insurers, the rider can be added so you can obtain more coverage, or you can schedule the items at a stated value or appraisal cost. For special items, it may be best to buy a special policy, which is like a spin-off from a homeowners policy and provides coverage for just those items you choose.

Be aware that you'll have to provide appraisals to ensure adequate coverage, and that you should always have your special items appraised regularly to maintain adequate coverage in the event the items increase in value.

This newsletter and any information contained herein are intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial or medical advice. The publisher takes great efforts to ensure the accuracy of information contained in this newsletter. However, we will not be responsible at any time for any errors or omissions or any damages, howsoever caused, that result from its use. Seek competent professional advice and/or legal counsel with respect to any matter discussed or published in this newsletter. This newsletter is not intended to solicit properties currently for sale....

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